Lakers Rumors: New possible trade targets for the Lakers this season
By Jason Reed
SG J.J. Redick
Shooting guard J.J. Redick signed a massive one-year, $23 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. Redick brings a veteran dynamic to a relatively young 76ers team and was the team’s best option to fill the shooting guard position next season. While Redick is overpaid, the 76ers likely view him as a one-year rental option anyways.
However, the team could turn the one-year rental option into a long-term return while the Lakers could accomplish their goal of freeing up cap space. While there are 23 million reasons why Redick is intimidating to trade for, the logistics of acquiring him in a trade seem to perfect for either side to pass up on.
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The deal? Los Angeles sending the 76ers Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Luol Deng for Redick and the rights to their own pick back in 2018. Here, the Lakers would be freeing up the contracts of both Clarkson and Deng while essentially betting on themselves to retain their draft pick next season.
There are two ways the Lakers can keep their pick if they obtain it from the 76ers. First, the team would have to be the number one team in the lottery, giving them the best chance if they finish last. However, they are far too talented for that to happen.
The more realistic option is if the team has a sixth or higher pick in the draft. While a tenth overall pick may not be that intriguing on paper, it gives the Lakers yet another chance to add to their young core. While they do lose Julius Randle in the process, rookie power forward Kyle Kuzma is showing nothing but positive signs.
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While a draft pick may be a hefty fee to pay for the 76ers, they are trading away a pick that wasn’t even theirs to begin with. For both sides’ futures, this deal seems to be a win-win.